Democratic Northwest. [volume] (Napoleon, Ohio) 1869-1894, 1887-08-04
A JAPANESE FAMILY.

In this home an eX-daimio and
family dwelled, with whom / exchang-
ed freouent hospitalities during my
soiourn in Japan. As / was one of
the family in which the daimio's
Youngest brother and eldest son had
found a home while pursuing their
education in America was cordially
received by the ex-prince in turn.
The family then consisted of his wife,
two little girls, two grown daughters,
and three sons-one baby-and the
grandmother of these children
charming old lady-three nurses, and
q large retinue of servants. j.
The father was noble specimen OF
devotion to bis country, yet withal'
an apostle Of progress. tio was one
OF the many who had consented to the
destruction of the old government,
and had voluntarily yielded his reve-
nues and title without a murmur for
the public good. The lady mother and
eldest daughter were the peers OF the
ladies of any land in their love OF
beauty, ornament, elegant dress, and
nearness, and in their skill in house
hold management, as well as in those
social amenities and tactics OF polite
circles that etiquette prescribes.
This mother was as strong in tender
ness, patience and long-sufering for
and with her children as her European
OF American sisters; and equally faith
full and assiduous in their training and
education, according to her knowl-
edge. She taught her daughters, as
her mother had taught her, that the
three fundamental duties of woman
are obedience to her parents when a
child, obedience to her husband when
married, and obedience to her eldest
son if She becomes widow.
She also instructed them from the
Japanese Ladies' library, which is q
compendium of the moral and physical
duties of woman. 1t includes the sub.
iects of household and social manage.
ment, rules for the strictest etiquette,
guide to letter-writing, proverbs
poems from q hundred authors, mem
oirs of noble women, and ordering fol
the whole conduct of life. They were
likewise taught to read the standard
histories of Japan in Chinese char
acters, and both boys and girls were
thoroughly drilled in the traditiOnary
heroic and NEUROLOGICAL lore of theil
own land. ...s
The sons were trained to manly
sports and exploits, and their ambition
fired by historic tales of heroes. They
were urged to overcome obstacles BY
the symbol over the massive door
where swung the huge paper carp sus
pended from a bamboo pole, eyer re
minding the youth of Japan how tn
carp leaps the waterfall. These lad
were also taught natural sciences anC
military tactics from English ant
Dutch authors. Often in their half
holidays have l seen them constructin.
miniature earthworks by the aid o
book, diagram, and trowel.
Then came the tutor with lessons il
fencing and wrestling and the use o
cross-spears and swords, in the hand
ling of which they became marvelousl,
expert. The father instructed the son
in the Chinese classics himself, ant
stimulated their young souls by tale
of classic lore. ....
One of the interesting customs thu
learned of in the life of this house wa
that of the many festivals-the Feas
of the Dolls for the daughters of tn
house, when year after year the grea
nursery was deckcd with bloomin
bows and the many toys in whic
Japan abountts, while pretty mimi
life of motherhood and housekeepini
prevailed for one whole day; of tn
Feast of the Banners, when the. boy
were marched out in triumph to tn
streets, with emblazoned banners, t.
enact mimic war; of the New Year
dayywhcn prince and retainers, maste
and servants, pledged anew their dc
votion to each other, and receives
gifts of gooi things; of the religion
festivals, when the masters household
like u great heart, beat for the birt
and death, the joy and sorrow, of hi
tentEtjE.
Herr, Ior two centuries, the daugl
tiers q. u.o house had been given i
marriage, without spoken VOW G
priestly rite, but by gift and sons
dance and cheer, began their ne'
career. From thence had gone out th
father to Yeddo or Fukui on public G
private business, the sons FOR educ;
ton and culture, the daughters fc
travel or religious duty. These wal
had echoed with songs and laughter
with cries and sobs. Here, in time {
bereavement, in the oratory of tn
house, where the sacred lights and i,
cense burn, one after another blac
tablet was set, gilt-lettered, to /
honored by later generations.
In the path by the old shrine, mad
sacred by the reverent Beliefs of gel
erations, took my final leave of tn
interesting family. / asked for
memento from its hallowed content,
and the ex-prince gave me case {
light wood, containing an amult
written in Sanskrit and Chinese, fc
the protection of this ancient hous,
and as passed out of the great gate
stood under pile of charms foot i
thickness, which had been added yea
by year, to ward off sickness an
harm. Helen s. H. Thompson, 1
OcerIopd Monthly.